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Social welfare

This winter Consell reactivates telephone support for Formentera seniors

The Formentera Social Welfare Department reports that the office is providing ongoing telephone support for islanders 65 and over. Relaunched in December after stay-at-home restrictions were introduced in March, the service is offered for 520 local seniors not otherwise benefitting from social services of the Consell de Formentera.

Underscoring the success of the initiative during lockdown orders, FSWD chief Rafael Ramírez traced its wintertime extension to the fact that “the elderly are among those who are most vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic, and most impacted amid the new normality”. Ramírez said the once-monthly phone calls are made by FSWD family-support staff and serve to “monitor, orient, support and even just offer listening”.

Support at 25 local homes
The phone calls are one component of the At-home Support Service (Servei d’Atenció Domiciliària, or SAD), a service currently offered to 25 Formentera households in line with Covid-19 safety protocol. Offered 365 days a year by a six-person staff of full-time family-care associates, the service aims to cover the basic needs of the island’s most at-risk with an array of at-home services for dependent individuals.

“Right now SAD is essential to meeting the basic needs of Formentera’s most vulnerable”, said Councillor Ramírez, applauding “the efforts and dedication of staff since day one of the pandemic”.


22 January 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

‘Xerrades’ series looks at tech’s toll on children and teens

cartell 2021 familes 28GENThis Thursday 28 January, for the latest instalment in ‘Xerrades per a famílies’ (Talks for families), psychologist Jordi Bernabeu Farrús will give a lecture titled ‘Too many screens’.

Hosted by the Formentera Social Welfare Department and broadcast on the Consell de Formentera’s Facebook page from 5.00pm, the talk will address the impact of digital technologies on children and adolescents. “We’ll be giving tips and guidelines on how to curb problematic uses of technology”, says the specialist in addictive behaviour.

25 January 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Formentera stands up for rights of people with disabilities

foto 2020 DPDF 2One event in particular was at the heart of today’s celebration of International Day of People with Disabilities: ‘Cultivating values’ brought together members of Formentera associations at the adult day care centre, where volunteers planted eight trees and, alongside them, posted signs emblazoned with eight different rights —inclusive education; comprehensive care; healthcare; social protections; independent decision-making; participation in public affairs; personal independence and universal accessibility.

After the event, Yolanda Mota Rodríguez, whose daughter has Down syndrome, read a manifesto which included the following: “Today, a day dedicated to people with different abilities, we plant these trees for their rights. Our hope is that one day the struggle to achieve those rights will be in the past”. “We hope our trees grow roots as strong as the roots of families in need of orientation, support, help and resources... Education is inclusive when we all learn from each other. When watered with unconditional love, it bears the fruit of a rich society where respect for diversity is a reality.”

From 11.00am to 1.00pm in Sant Francesc’s Plaça de la Constitució, local functional diversity groups tended an information stand and sold products handcrafted by islanders at the adult day care centre.

Collaborators in activities include the Eivissa-Formentera Association of People with Special Needs (Apneef); Pau Mayans Association for the Integration of People on the Autism Spectrum (Apmitea); the local chapter of the Spanish Cancer Association (Formentera-AECC); the local support group for chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and other conditions; the Eivissa-Formentera Group for Advanced Capacities and Talents (ACTEF) and the Pine Islands Group for Social and Educational Inclusion (APIES).

Drafting the comprehensive plan for people with functional diversity
Social welfare councillor Rafael Ramírez underlined “the outstanding work that these associations and families put in to build visibility for individuals with disabilities” and said local government had “a key role to play in making sure we get there”. In that same regard, the councillor pointed to efforts already under way to prepare a comprehensive plan for people with functional diversity: “It will be a tool to achieve full respect of the rights that we’re talking about today”.

As part of an activties programme hosted in association with Formentera Film and Soria International Short Film Fest, at 7.00pm on 11, 18, 22 and 29 December, islanders can catch an array of short-films about diversity and inclusion. The first screening will take place at Casa del Poble de la Mola, the following three at the Sala d’Actes of the Consell. Space is limited and reservations are required: administració.centredia@conselldeformentera.cat.

And, all December long, island crowds can see Alexis and Bruno Morante’s Bla, Bla, Bla before Friday and Sunday night films at the Formentera cinema (Sala de Cultura).

3 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Latest lecture takes on post-partum coupledom

cartell 2020 xerrades dsps fillsThe Formentera Social Welfare Department-sponsored lecture series Xerrades per a famílies (Talks for families) returns on Thursday 17 December with a lecture from Pablo Rodríguez, a psychotherapist specialising in couples and families, about how couples can maintain a romantic relationship after having children.

The third instalment in this round of the series will be held in the training room of La Savina’s Centre d’Esports Nàutics. Space is limited and seats must be booked in advance by phoning 971.321.271 or emailing educaciosocial@conselldeformentera.cat.

10 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

In 2020, Formenterers Solidaris honoured with Balearic Islands’ Savina award for volunteer work

foto premi savina 2Formenterers Solidaris received the regional government’s Savina Award in a ceremony this morning that included Consell premiere Alejandra Ferrer, social welfare councillor Rafael Ramírez and director of the regional office of participation and volunteering Maria Amengual.

The “premi Savina” focuses on the group’s ‘Food assistance’ programme — an initiative giving basic food and hygiene items to families who are struggling financially. In a combined effort between Formenterers Solidaris and the Formentera Social Welfare Department, volunteers purchase food and pick up donations; the items are then transported to the Sant Ferran church where they are packed and delivered to individuals receiving FSWD support. A fully volunteer-run association, Formenterers Solidaris started in 2007 with the aim of helping the island’s most needy.

In a ceremony that was presided over by President Ferrer, Formenterers Solidaris secretary Teresa Costa accepted the prize on behalf of the non-profit, highlighting hard work as a defining feature of FS’s corps of volunteers. “This is a machine that works thanks to the efforts of each and every individual who participates”, said Costa, “there are no names here — just people who get results when their strengths are united”. “We’d be thrilled if Formenterers Solidaris disappeared tomorrow because it was no longer needed”, she mused, underscoring support from the Consell and Govern as essential to the Formenterers Solidaris operation.

“Super-human efforts have been Formenterers Solidaris’ stock in trade ever since we got started”, the Consell premiere asserted. “These are people who put the needs of others before their own.” Ferrer praised the group’s work during the application of emergency orders, and promised the unending support of local government in carrying out the group’s mission.

Councillor Ramírez, for his part, said the day was about “rewarding the spirit and personal commitment” of volunteers, who he affirmed “generously volunteer their time and resources to make life easier for others”. He underlined coordination with FSWD and voiced his hopes that “volunteers’ guiding spirit finds worthy vessels in all of us”.

According to the Balearic participation and volunteer director, “Formentera’s volunteer associations deserve applause for their efforts to make the island a place to be proud of. Formentera is a place where cooperation and teamwork come before all else”. “I admire your great ability to make a common cause out of the collective”, she said.

Part of the Balearic Islands’ 2020 Regional Volunteer Awards, prizes for volunteer work are designed to offer support and recognition for grassroots participation in the local community. Stewarded by hometown associations, such initiatives seek to leverage the efforts of volunteers to address blind spots in systems of social support and healthcare. The award comes with a cash prize of €3,000.

1 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

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